Guest Authors

Young People Have Power. Let’s Use It.

As November inches closer, the midterm elections will be the center of attention, and it’s important to remember that young people have power.

By Sam Schmir

May 6, 2022

Light blue background with a collage of young voters, some of whom are holding a megaphone and others are looking down at their phones, and other voting symbols such as a blue "VOTE" sign with an arrow, an official ballot drop box and mail-in ballot envelopes. There are also text bubble elements in red tones.

We Must Meet the Fight for Voting Rights at the State Level

With the ongoing attacks on the integrity of our elections and on democracy itself, there is simply too much at stake to remain on the sidelines. That’s why I’m in this fight.

By Katie Hobbs

April 22, 2022

Light blue background with bright blue Arizona State House with a blue ballot for the 2020 presidential election to the left, a dark blue toned image of someone holding up a sign that says “WHO STOLE OUR VOTES?” to the top left laid over a red-toned square, a dark blue toned image of protestors holding a sign that says “STOP THE SEAL” laid over a red toned square to the top right, a dark blue toned image of a police officer with a helmet and mask and a man standing behind him in a baseball cap and sunglasses (to the bottom right of the state house), a blue toned image of Trump over a red toned square to the bottom right, a dark blue toned image of a newspaper dispenser with USA Today inside laid over a red toned rectangle all to the bottom left of the state house, and a dark blue toned image of an officer putting up caution tape over a red toned square image of protestors holding a TRUMP and American flag. Bright blue dots connect the dark blue toned images.

Voting Laws May Present Challenges to Youth Participation in 2022

Young people ages 18-29 turned out to vote at historic rates in 2018 and 2020, and their participation could be decisive in the upcoming midterms. But that participation is not a given.

By Dayna L. Cunningham, Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg

April 15, 2022

Man standing over a table signing a piece of paper that a woman (who is sitting on the other side of the table) is pointing at [both people are in black and white]. Layed out around the two people is a blue "same-day registration sign" with a blue arrow, a blue voter registration application, a blue voters' pamplet, and two white and blue ballot envelopes. There is also a "VOTE" sign above the man in dark grey. The background is light blue and there is also a white circle in the middle.

How Secretaries of State Can Lead the Fight to Strengthen Democracy

Massachusetts has long prided itself on creating blueprints for change, but so far, our Commonwealth has not been the leader it can – and should – be on voting rights and access.

By Tanisha M. Sullivan

April 6, 2022

A blueprint with an blue outline of the Massachusetts state shape beneath a hand holding a megaphone and notepad that says, in black ink, "We demand voting rights now!" with a black pen and black pencil next to the notepad.

Why Some States Are Moving To Restrict Ballot Initiatives

In 2021, there were 146 bills aimed at restricting or abolishing the ballot measure process. These restrictive measures take a variety of forms, but they all have the same function: to undermine the will of the people and diminish their decision-making power.

By Chris Melody Fields Figueredo

March 30, 2022

A cigarette box labelled Florida Amendment 2 $15 Minimum Wage Inititiave, with pens instead of cigarettes and the label "WARNING: Ballot initiatives may bring positive change to your community."

We Need To Change the Way We Elect Members of Congress

The solution to our current crisis of democracy: proportional representation and a multiparty system. It’s proven to ensure that all votes count equally, all voters are better represented and anti-democratic forces are sidelined.

By Charlotte Hill, Lee Drutman

March 25, 2022

Dome of the U.S. Capitol divided into four different sized rectangles, misaligned on one another. The rectangles are tinted blue, red, green and purple.

Mississippi’s Ballot Initiative Process is Broken. But It Needs to Be Restored Correctly.

Months after voters approved progressive measures, a court blocked Mississippi’s ballot initiative process. Now, the Republican Legislature is attempting to reinstate the process, but with vast government overreach that rolls back the power of voters.

By Arekia Bennett-Scott

March 4, 2022

A hand with an axe labeled "HC 39" is chipping away at a stone marked "Ballot Initiative Process" with the details "Article 15 Amendment to the Constitution Ratified November 3, 1992"

New Mexico Is Leading on Voting Rights as Federal Push Stalls

Federal voting rights legislation has stalled and with little chance of it ever passing during this current Congress, the nation is now looking to the states to protect and expand our most fundamental rights.

By Maggie Toulouse Oliver

February 17, 2022

Four panels of images sit on top of a solid blue background. on the top left, the New Mexico state flag. Next to it on the right, a man putting a ballot into a drop box. On the bottom left, a woman writes at a desk with pen and paper. On the bottom right, a closeup shows a hand putting a ballot into a dropbox.

You Should Run for Local Office. Here’s Why

The most meaningful thing you can do is run for office yourself – in most states, it’s not too late to get on the ballot this year. If you’re not ready to run just yet, you can make just as big a difference by investing your time and money toward local races.

By Amanda Litman

January 26, 2022

A female candidate for office speaking into a megaphone

Democrats Must Reform the Electoral Count Act and Pass Comprehensive Voting Rights Legislation.

The Republican Party is attempting to secure and retain political control by manipulating how votes are to cast, where those votes count and whether they even count at all.

By Charlotte Hill, Jake Grumbach, Hakeem Jefferson, Adam Bonica

January 19, 2022